Written answers
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Department of Health and Children
Medical Cards
9:00 pm
Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on a submission (details supplied); her plans to address this submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37036/08]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government recently announced, as part of its budget proposals, the withdrawal of automatic entitlement to the medical card from people aged 70 years and over and the introduction of new income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over of €700 (gross) per week for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week for a couple. Where an applicant's income is over the income thresholds, they may still qualify for a medical card if their personal circumstances cause undue financial hardship. I firmly believe that the Government's proposals on this issue represent a major improvement on the situation, in the context of the current economic climate and given that under this measure approximately 95% of people aged 70 and over will continue to hold a medical card.
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